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Fringilla teydea
– Near Threatened
Taxonomy
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Kingdom:
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ANIMALIA
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Phylum:
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CHORDATA
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Class:
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AVES
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Order:
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PASSERIFORMES
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Family:
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FRINGILLIDAE
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Scientific Name:
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Fringilla teydea
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Species Authority:
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Webb, Berthelot & Moquin-Tandon, 1841
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Common Name/s:
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BLUE CHAFFINCH (Eng)
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Assessment Information
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Red List Category & Criteria:
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NT ver 3.1 (2001)
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Year Assessed:
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2004
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Assessor/s:
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BirdLife International
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Evaluator/s:
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Stattersfield, A., Capper, D., Callaghan, D., Ekstrom, J., Peet, N. & Butchart, S. (BirdLife International Red List Authority)
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Justification:
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This species is classified as Near-Threatened, almost meeting several Vulnerable criteria: it has a small range which is declining, and a small population which has experienced some decline in the past ten years. It was previously considered Conservation Dependent but this category has been removed from the IUCN (2001) criteria.
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History:
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| 1988 | - | Threatened (Collar and Andrew 1988) |
| 1994 | - | Lower Risk/conservation dependent (Collar, Crosby and Stattersfield 1994) |
| 2000 | - | Lower Risk/conservation dependent (BirdLife International 2000) |
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Geographic Range
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Range Description:
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Fringilla teydea is found on Tenerife and the subspecies polatzeki occurs on Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. The total population is estimated to be 1,800-2,740 individuals, with the majority on Tenerife, and 185-260 individuals on Gran Canaria. The latter race occupies a tiny range which is declining: it is restricted to patches of woodland at Ojeda, Inagua and Pajonales with a few pairs thought to occur at Tamadaba. However, as the Gran Canaria race is such a small proportion of the total population, the species's range and population are effectively stable. It is largely dependent on Canary pine Pinus canariensis and will inhabit reforested areas where these fall within the natural distribution of this tree. Although Canary pine seeds constitute its main food source, birds occasionally feed outside pinewoods during severe weather. During the breeding season, it is found in pinewoods at 1,000-2,000 m with a high proportion of broom Chamaecytisus proliferus in the understorey. The breeding season lasts from April to early August. Two eggs are generally laid. It suffers from illegal trade, primarily to Italy, Germany and Belgium, which may have an effect on population levels. Its pinewood habitat has been subject to intense commercial exploitation which has resulted in habitat fragmentation and population isolation, particularly on Gran Canaria. Forest fires have historically been important in the destruction of pinewoods on Gran Canaria. Protected areas are heavily used for recreation and leisure on Gran Canaria and this may cause disturbance. It has been legally protected from hunting, capture, trade, egg or chick collection since 1980. Key areas on Gran Canaria have been protected since 1982 and El Teide forest on Tenerife and six important areas on Gran Canaria were designated as National Parks or Natural Areas in 1987. A conservation programme was initiated in 1991 and a captive breeding programme began in 1992. An action plan was published in 1996. Monitoring and research should be continued and expanded. An official, governmental action plan should be produced to detail conservation requirements such as habitat restoration, prevention of forest fires and eradication of illegal trade. In addition, the species should be included under CITES and adequate protection should be ensured under the Countryside Law and Wildlife Protection Law.
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Countries:
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Native:
Spain (Canary Is.)
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Population
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Population Trend:
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Habitat and Ecology
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